Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric is one of the rising stars of the Welsh game having made his Test breakthrough in the Rugby World Cup warm-up clash against Argentina in 2011.

The former Wales 7s international failed to earn a place in the World Cup squad, with captain Sam Warburton monopolising the openside berth, but his consistency for his region laid the foundation for greater involvement in 2012 including two appearances during his side's Six Nations Grand Slam campaign.

Tipuric excelled in the early stags of the following season and put pressure on Warburton for the Wales No.7 shirt. He went on to stand-in for Warburton for some of the 2013 Six Nations campaign before playing alongside his team-mate and rival in the decisive final triumph over England. Tipuric's performance against England, which saw Wales secure the Championship, went a long way in securing his place in the Lions squad to tour Australia.